Are These Two SOLIDWORKS Files Different?

Have you ever heard the old expression “If it was a snake, it would have bitten you” referring to something that should have been obvious? Well, there has been a function in SOLIDWORKS for a while that has been right under my nose, but I never noticed it – using the SOLIDWORKS compare function to compare different versions of SOLIDWORKS files saved in an Enterprise PDM vault.

The Compare function is available as an Add-in in the Professional and Premium versions of SOLIDWORKS and must be turned on. In SOLIDWORKS, go to Tools > Add-ins… and check the boxes for SOLIDWORKS Utilities.

To compare two versions of a file, go to Tools > Compare > Compare Documents

Select a vaulted file currently open or browse to select a file from the vault.

Under Items to Compare:, check the box Within Enterprise PDM vault

Select the two versions you want to compare.

You can also select Features, Geometry, and/or Bill of materials (for an assembly) to compare.

Select Run Comparison

The results can be saved out to a report. Detailed information on this function can be found in SOLIDWORKS Help by searching for Compare utility.

I humbly ask the forgiveness of everyone who has taken the Using SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM class from me. I probably told you there wasn’t a way to compare two versions. I stand corrected. It was right there all the time. If it would have been a snake …